Che-Fu's groundbreaking 2nd Album Navigator charted new territory for New Zealand Hip Hop. Both a critical and commercial success, the album reflected a truly Pacific soul, with its seamless blending of reggae, RnB, Hip Hop and true stories.
The influence and legacy of Navigator underscores its importance, paving the way for Aotearoa Hip Hop's subsequent ascendancy. In 2002 Che won the APRA Silver Scroll Award with co-composer and keyboardist Godfrey deGrut for their song 'Misty Frequencies'. In 2009 Che became a member of the NZ Order of Merit, and in 2014 won a Pacific Music Awards Lifetime Achievement.
To Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Navigator, Che-Fu and his band the Kratez reunited for a performance at Auckland's Town Hall as part of the 2021 Auckland Arts Festival. It was an emotional return to the stage for Che and his whanau in front of an energized and adoring crowd...
Tracks featured: The Mish, The Natural, Random, Roots Man, Misty Frequencies, Fadeaway, Chains, Waka
Che-Fu & The Kratez - Navigator 20th Anniversary, Auckland Town Hall Auckland Arts Festival 2021 Photo: Raymond Sagapolutele
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Recording Engineer: Rangi Powick - Producer / Mix Engineer: Andre Upston
This concert was recorded by RNZ at the Auckland Town Hall and was part of the Auckland Arts Festival in 2021.
